The Super Eagles, one of Africa’s most celebrated football teams, found themselves in a crisis after being stranded at the Al Abraq Airport in Libya ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya. The situation, which unfolded over the weekend, has sparked concern among Nigerian football fans and officials alike.
Amidst the growing tension, the Federal Government stepped in to support the stranded players. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, confirmed in a statement on Monday that “necessary supplies” had been sent to the team while efforts to resolve the crisis continued.
The Super Eagles departed Nigeria early on Sunday morning, heading to Libya for their AFCON 2025 Qualifier matchday 4 clash. The match was scheduled to take place at the 10,000-capacity Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benghazi, just 10 kilometers from the city center.
However, upon their arrival in Libya, things took a sharp turn. Instead of landing at the intended destination near Benghazi, the Super Eagles were diverted to Bayda City, a location farther away from the match venue. Reports began circulating that the team was left stranded at the Al Abraq Airport with little to no assistance from the Libyan authorities. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) issued a statement on Monday confirming that the team had been “unattended to” at the airport, a situation that left both players and coaching staff frustrated.
Fans of the Super Eagles, who are known for their fierce support of the national team, immediately took to social media to express their outrage over the treatment of the players. Many questioned why the Libyan authorities had failed to provide the necessary support, given the importance of the AFCON qualifier match.
Following the reports of the crisis, the Nigerian government quickly mobilized to address the situation. Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar issued a public statement on Monday, reassuring Nigerians that the government was fully aware of the situation and was taking action.
“I have been closely monitoring the situation involving the Super Eagles in Libya,” Minister Tuggar said. “Through the Head of the Nigerian Mission in Tripoli, Ambassador Stephen Anthony Awuru, the Mission has maintained contact with the NFF and the Libyan authorities since last night.”
The minister revealed that despite efforts by the Nigerian Mission, the Libyan authorities had not yet authorized the Mission’s trip to Bayda City, where the airport is located. This delay in authorization left the team waiting longer than expected for relief. However, the Nigerian government did not leave the players without help. According to Tuggar, the Head of the Nigerian Community in Benghazi, Mr. Morris Eromosele, arrived at the airport early on Monday morning with “necessary supplies and internet access” for the team.
The supplies, which included food, water, and communication tools, were sent to ensure that the players could stay connected with their families and the football federation while the government worked on a long-term solution to the problem. Tuggar assured Nigerians that the government would continue to follow developments closely and would take further action as necessary.
The crisis in Libya also caught the attention of Nigeria’s Minister of Sports, John Enoh. In a statement, the minister expressed his disappointment with the treatment of the Super Eagles by the Libyan authorities and revealed that he had escalated the issue to all relevant bodies, including the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
“I have escalated the ill-treatment meted out to the Super Eagles by the Libyan authorities to all concerned authorities,” Minister Enoh said, stressing the importance of ensuring that Nigerian athletes are treated with respect and dignity when they travel abroad for international competitions.
The minister also emphasized the need for fair play and cooperation between nations, especially when it comes to organizing major sporting events like the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. “It is unacceptable for our national team to be treated in such a manner. We expect full cooperation from the Libyan authorities to resolve this issue as quickly as possible,” he added.
